Royal Society | The Guardianhttp://www.theguardian.com/science/royal-society
Latest news and features from theguardian.com, the world's leading liberal voiceen-gbGuardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. 2015Sun, 02 Aug 2015 21:50:13 GMT2015-08-02T21:50:13Zen-gbGuardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. 2015The Guardianhttp://assets.guim.co.uk/images/guardian-logo-rss.c45beb1bafa34b347ac333af2e6fe23f.pnghttp://www.theguardian.com
Stephen Hawking launches $100m search for alien life beyond solar systemhttp://www.theguardian.com/science/2015/jul/20/breakthrough-listen-massive-radio-wave-project-scan-far-regions-for-alien-life
<p>Breakthrough Listen, funded by Yuri Milner, will allow telescopes to eavesdrop on planets that orbit the million stars closest to Earth and 100 nearest galaxies<br></p><p>Astronomers are to embark on the most intensive search for alien life yet by listening out for potential radio signals coming from advanced civilisations far beyond the solar system.</p><p> Leading researchers have secured time on two of the world’s most powerful telescopes in the US and Australia to scan the Milky Way and neighbouring galaxies for radio emissions that betray the existence of life elsewhere. The search will be 50 times more sensitive, and cover 10 times more sky, than previous hunts for alien life. <br /></p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/science/2015/jul/20/alien-life-breakthough-initiative">Let's listen out for alien life – and remember we might not understand it</a> </p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/science/2015/feb/12/alien-search-wont-doom-planet-earth-say-scientists-who-want-to-contact-et">Alien search won't doom planet Earth, say scientists who want to contact ET</a> </p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/science/2015/jul/20/breakthrough-listen-massive-radio-wave-project-scan-far-regions-for-alien-life">Continue reading...</a>Alien lifeScienceAstronomyRoyal SocietyMartin ReesSpaceStephen HawkingUK newsWorld newsTue, 21 Jul 2015 03:57:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/science/2015/jul/20/breakthrough-listen-massive-radio-wave-project-scan-far-regions-for-alien-lifePhotograph: Stuart C. Wilson/Getty ImagesThe Breakthrough Listen launch, hosted by from left, Yuri Milner, Stephen Hawking, and Lord Rees. Hawking said the project was ‘critically important’.Photograph: Stuart C. Wilson/Getty ImagesThe Breakthrough Listen launch, hosted by from left, Yuri Milner, Stephen Hawking, and Lord Rees. Hawking said the project was ‘critically important’.Photograph: Jim Lo Scalzo/EPA/CorbisPhotograph: Jim Lo Scalzo/EPA/CorbisIan Sample Science editor2015-07-21T03:57:00ZLet's listen out for alien life – and remember we might not understand ithttp://www.theguardian.com/science/2015/jul/20/alien-life-breakthough-initiative
<p>As the Breakthrough Initiative starts scanning far galaxies for radio waves, it is important to remember intelligent life may take a very different form from us <br></p><p>Space probes have explored the main bodies of our solar system, revealing varied and distinctive worlds – but worlds unpropitious for life. There may once have been living organisms on Mars (and there may be life on the moons of Jupiter and Saturn) but there are no “Martians” of the kind familiar from science fiction.</p><p> Within our solar system, Earth is the only Goldilocks planet – not too hot and not too cold for water to exist. But the prospects of finding advanced life brighten a billion-fold when we extend our horizons to the other stars – far beyond the range of any probe we can construct today. The most exciting recent breakthrough in astronomy has been the realisation that most stars are orbited by retinues of planets, just like our sun is. And that there are literally billions of Earth-like planets in our Milky Way galaxy. <br /></p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/science/2015/jul/20/breakthrough-listen-massive-radio-wave-project-scan-far-regions-for-alien-life">Anybody out there? Massive radio wave project to scan far regions for alien life</a> </p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/science/2015/jul/20/alien-life-breakthough-initiative">Continue reading...</a>Alien lifeSpaceScienceAstronomyRoyal SocietyMartin ReesWorld newsUK newsEvolutionBiologyMon, 20 Jul 2015 12:40:28 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/science/2015/jul/20/alien-life-breakthough-initiativePhotograph: Bryan Allen/CorbisWe may detect signs of alien life through radio waves, but won’t necessarily understand how to decode it.Photograph: Bryan Allen/CorbisWe may detect signs of alien life through radio waves, but won’t necessarily understand how to decode it.Photograph: Stuart C. WilsonThe Breakthrough Listen launch at the Royal Society with (left to right) Yuri Milner, Stephen Hawking and Lord Martin Rees.Photograph: Stuart C. WilsonThe Breakthrough Listen launch at the Royal Society with (left to right) Yuri Milner, Stephen Hawking and Lord Martin Rees.Martin Rees2015-07-20T12:40:28ZStop defending Tim Hunthttp://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/jun/23/stop-defending-tim-hunt-brian-cox-richard-dawkins
<p>The likes of Richard Dawkins and Brian Cox should focus on taking up the real issue of sexism in science. It is absurd to say that scientists can do and say what they like in the name of academic freedom<br></p><p>As the Tim Hunt storm continues unabated, I find myself pondering my <a href="http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/voices/furor-over-tim-hunt-must-lead-to-systemic-change/">decision to break the story</a> from the World Conference of Science Journalists in South Korea about his culturally insensitive and <a href="http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/voices/furor-over-tim-hunt-must-lead-to-systemic-change/">sexist remarks</a>. <br /></p><p>After an empty apology and then declaring that “he stood by his comments”, Hunt has taken the spotlight and somewhat self-indulgently allowed it to remain focused on him. </p><p>A petition to reinstate Hunt has 2,000 signatures. One for the Royal Society to elect a female president has 200</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/jun/23/stop-defending-tim-hunt-brian-cox-richard-dawkins">Continue reading...</a>People in scienceTim HuntScienceRoyal SocietyGenderUCL (University College London)UK newsWomenHigher educationEducationLife and styleBrian CoxRichard DawkinsTue, 23 Jun 2015 15:24:55 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/jun/23/stop-defending-tim-hunt-brian-cox-richard-dawkinsPhotograph: Csaba Segesvari/AFP/Getty ImagesTim Hunt made culturally insensitive and sexist remarks but a growing number of people including scientists and politicians, mainly men, are defending him.Photograph: Csaba Segesvari/AFP/Getty ImagesTim Hunt made culturally insensitive and sexist remarks but a growing number of people including scientists and politicians, mainly men, are defending him.Connie St Louis2015-06-23T15:24:55ZQuitting EU would harm British science, says Royal Society's next presidenthttp://www.theguardian.com/science/2015/jun/17/quitting-eu-would-harm-british-science-says-royal-societys-next-president
<p>Sir Venkatraman Ramakrishnan warns Brexit would lead to cut in research funding and fall in collaborations</p><p>Leaving the European Union would be detrimental to British science, hitting research funding and cutting the UK off from a pool of talented scientists and world-class facilities, the incoming president of the Royal Society has told the Guardian.</p><p>In his first interview since his election was confirmed in March, Sir Venkatraman Ramakrishnan weighed into the increasingly heated debate over EU membership, warning withdrawal would “really narrow down our science”.</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/higher-education-network/2015/jun/17/venki-ramakrishnan-on-leaving-the-eu-science-in-schools-and-horoscopes">Venki Ramakrishnan on leaving the EU, science in schools – and horoscopes</a> </p><p>I've found the women in my lab a hard-nosed, ambitious lot</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/science/2015/jun/17/quitting-eu-would-harm-british-science-says-royal-societys-next-president">Continue reading...</a>ScienceRoyal SocietyEU referendumEuropean UnionEuropeWorld newsResearchHigher educationUK newsWed, 17 Jun 2015 12:00:08 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/science/2015/jun/17/quitting-eu-would-harm-british-science-says-royal-societys-next-presidentPhotograph: Alastair Grant/APVenkatraman Ramakrishnan, pictured in his lab at the Medical Research Council Lab in Cambridge.Photograph: Alastair Grant/APVenkatraman Ramakrishnan, pictured in his lab at the Medical Research Council Lab in Cambridge.Lucy Ward2015-06-17T12:00:08ZBrian Cox criticises 'disproportionate' reaction to Tim Hunt's commentshttp://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/jun/16/brian-cox-criticises-disproportionate-reaction-to-tim-hunts-comments
<p>Broadcaster says lack of women in science is a problem but criticises UCL for ‘hounding out’ Nobel laureate as part of wider problem of ‘trial by social media’ </p><p>The scientist and broadcaster Prof Brian Cox has said it was wrong the way a Nobel laureate scientist was “hounded out” of his university post over controversial comments he made about women working in laboratories.<br /></p><p>Cox said the remarks by Sir Tim Hunt had been “very ill-advised” but that the response – which saw him give up positions at University College London (UCL) and the Royal Society – had been disproportionate.</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/science/2015/jun/16/reversing-the-bandwagon-that-ran-over-tim-hunt">Reversing the bandwagon that ran over Tim Hunt | Letters</a> </p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/jun/16/brian-cox-criticises-disproportionate-reaction-to-tim-hunts-comments">Continue reading...</a>Tim HuntPeople in scienceBrian CoxScienceUK newsWomenLife and styleSocial mediaDigital mediaMediaBBCUCL (University College London)EducationHigher educationNobel prizesScience prizesRoyal SocietyBoris JohnsonPoliticsScienceTue, 16 Jun 2015 15:17:59 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/jun/16/brian-cox-criticises-disproportionate-reaction-to-tim-hunts-commentsPhotograph: BBCPress Association2015-06-16T15:17:59ZBrian Cox: ‘Scientists aren’t priests of knowledge. They’re like plumbers’http://www.theguardian.com/science/2015/jun/14/brian-cox-interview-royal-society
The new face of science at the Royal Society talks about taking on Einstein, TV versus teaching, and why not everything he posts on Twitter should be taken seriously<p><strong>Summer’s here, students are heading off – what are you working on?</strong></p><p>The last paper I published was a really theoretical paper with three colleagues and it was stimulated by a popular book I wrote with Jeff Forshaw about quantum mechanics. [There is] this strange feature of quantum theory that it <em>appears</em> to not care about <a href="http://www.space.com/28738-einstein-theory-of-relativity-explained-infgraphic.html">Einstein’s theory of relativity</a> – it does care about it but it <em>appears</em> that you can do things at some place in the universe and in principle the whole universe seems to respond. We got interested in using all the modern machinery of quantum field theory [to ask] how does that play out, how does it actually work? What stops you from doing strange things and influencing the whole universe from your little position here on Earth? We are still working on it. We’ve published one of the papers; there are another couple in the pipeline.</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2014/oct/14/brian-cox-guide-citizen-scientist">Brian Cox’s guide to becoming a citizen scientist</a> </p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/science/2015/may/05/large-hadron-collider-makes-first-proton-collisions-in-two-years">Large Hadron Collider makes first proton collisions in two years</a> </p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The most important attribute for a 'real scientist', as you put it <a href="https://twitter.com/DeepakChopra">@DeepakChopra</a> , is to actually understand some science.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/science/2015/jun/14/brian-cox-interview-royal-society">Continue reading...</a>Brian CoxScienceParticle physicsPeople in sciencePhysicsAstronomyCernHiggs bosonLarge Hadron ColliderMarsSpaceRoyal SocietyRosetta space probeCuriosity roverNasaJo JohnsonPoliticsSun, 14 Jun 2015 06:30:05 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/science/2015/jun/14/brian-cox-interview-royal-societyPhotograph: Adrian Sherratt/Rex FeaturesBen Miller, Brian Cox and Robin Ince - crew of the Infinite Monkey Cage - at The Times Cheltenham Science Festival in 2010Photograph: Adrian Sherratt/Rex FeaturesBen Miller, Brian Cox and Robin Ince - crew of the Infinite Monkey Cage - at The Times Cheltenham Science Festival in 2010Photograph: Richard Saker/ObserverBrian Cox: ‘institutions like the BBC play a very important role’ Photograph: Richard Saker for the ObserverPhotograph: Richard Saker/ObserverBrian Cox: ‘institutions like the BBC play a very important role’ Photograph: Richard Saker for the ObserverInterview by Nicola Davis2015-06-14T06:30:05ZThe trouble with Tim Hunt's 'trouble with girls in science' commenthttp://www.theguardian.com/science/2015/jun/12/tim-hunt-trouble-with-girls-in-science-comment
<p>That sexism is alive and well in science is known. The problem is the Nobel laureate’s remark could compound the striking lack of women in top positions<br></p><p>A handful of days ago, Tim Hunt was hardly well known outside the world of science. He won the Nobel prize for his work on cell division. He is a fellow of the Royal Society. He was knighted by the Queen. He is not one to flaunt the honour. <br tabindex="-1" /></p><p>Until Tuesday, those were the impressive facts that defined the septuagenarian. Then came “the trouble with girls”. Or rather, Hunt’s contention at a conference in Seoul, delivered at a lunch held for women science journalists, that there was such a thing. The problem, he proposed, was that men and women fall in love in the lab and that this was disruptive to science. Moreover, he said, women cry when their work is criticised. For the good of science, he suggested, labs might be sexually segregated. <br tabindex="-1" /></p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/science/blog/2015/jun/12/the-unseen-women-scientists-behind-tim-hunts-nobel-prize">The unseen women scientists behind Tim Hunt’s Nobel prize</a> </p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/jun/10/nobel-scientist-tim-hunt-female-scientists-cause-trouble-for-men-in-labs">Nobel scientist Tim Hunt: female scientists cause trouble for men in labs</a> </p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/jun/10/tim-hunt-science-prejudice-against-women">Tim Hunt, where’s the science in your prejudice against women? | Anne Perkins</a> </p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/science/2015/jun/12/tim-hunt-trouble-with-girls-in-science-comment">Continue reading...</a>Tim HuntScienceWomenUK newsRoyal SocietyGenderFri, 12 Jun 2015 18:55:56 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/science/2015/jun/12/tim-hunt-trouble-with-girls-in-science-commentPhotograph: Csaba Segesvari/AFP/Getty ImagesTim Hunt told the BBC he was sorry for causing offence, but went on to say he was being honest.Ian Sample, Rebecca Ratcliffe and Claire Shaw2015-06-12T18:55:56ZCry, cry, cry (for Tim Hunt and backwards Nobel laureates)http://www.theguardian.com/science/occams-corner/2015/jun/10/cry-cry-cry-for-backwards-nobel-laureates
<p>Professor Tim Hunt’s comments on women are not just ridiculous: they endanger the future of equality in science</p><p>So this happened - at <a href="https://www.wcsj2015.or.kr:447/wcsj2015/main/main.php">The World Conference of Science Journalism</a>, at a lunch sponsored by Korean female scientists and engineers - just yesterday.</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/science/brain-flapping/2015/jun/10/tim-hunt-old-men-women-controversy-science">Tim Hunt shows why old men should be banned from science | Dean Burnett</a> </p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/science/occams-corner/2015/jun/10/cry-cry-cry-for-backwards-nobel-laureates">Continue reading...</a>Tim HuntScienceWomenRoyal SocietyWed, 10 Jun 2015 11:04:13 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/science/occams-corner/2015/jun/10/cry-cry-cry-for-backwards-nobel-laureatesPhotograph: Johnny Green/PATim Hunt, right, with fellow Nobel laureate Sir Paul Nurse. No crying in their lab, apparently.Photograph: Johnny Green/PATim Hunt, right, with fellow Nobel laureate Sir Paul Nurse. No crying in their lab, apparently.Sylvia McLain2015-06-10T11:04:13ZTim Hunt apologises for comments on his 'trouble' with female scientistshttp://www.theguardian.com/science/2015/jun/10/tim-hunt-apologises-comments-trouble-female-scientists
<p>Nobel laureate caused outrage after telling conference he had reputation as a chauvinist and said of women in labs, ‘when you criticise them, they cry’</p><p>The Nobel laureate Tim Hunt has apologised for comments he made about female scientists.<br /></p><p>Hunt had told a conference he had a reputation for being a chauvinist, before saying: “Let me tell you about my trouble with girls. Three things happen when they are in the lab. You fall in love with them, they fall in love with you and when you criticise them, they cry.”</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/jun/10/nobel-scientist-tim-hunt-female-scientists-cause-trouble-for-men-in-labs">Nobel scientist Tim Hunt: female scientists cause trouble for men in labs</a> </p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Nobel scientist Tim Hunt FRS <a href="https://twitter.com/royalsociety">@royalsociety</a> says at Korean women lunch “I’m a chauvinist and keep ‘girls’ single lab <a href="http://t.co/Z9NhykaTPv">pic.twitter.com/Z9NhykaTPv</a></p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/science/2015/jun/10/tim-hunt-apologises-comments-trouble-female-scientists">Continue reading...</a>Tim HuntScienceRoyal SocietyGenderUK newsWed, 10 Jun 2015 08:03:41 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/science/2015/jun/10/tim-hunt-apologises-comments-trouble-female-scientistsPhotograph: Johnny Green/PAJamie Grierson2015-06-10T08:03:41ZWill traditional science journals disappear? | Dorothy Bishophttp://www.theguardian.com/science/head-quarters/2015/may/12/will-traditional-science-journals-disappear
<p>Has the traditional format of the science journal had its day? <strong>Dorothy Bishop </strong>outlines an alternative model, based on consensual communication</p><p>The Royal Society has been celebrating the 350<sup>th</sup> anniversary of Philosophical Transactions, the world’s first scientific journal, by holding a series of meetings on the <a href="https://royalsociety.org/events/2015/04/future-of-scholarly-scientific-communication-part-1/">future of scholarly scientific publishing.</a> I followed the whole event on social media, and was able to attend in person for one day. One of the sessions followed a Dragon’s Den format, with speakers having 100 seconds to convince three dragons – Onora O’Neill, Ben Goldacre and Anita de Waard – of the fund-worthiness of a new idea for science communication. Most were light-hearted, and there was a general mood of merriment, but the session got me thinking about what kind of future I would like to see. What I came up with was radically different from our current publishing model.<br /></p><p>Most of the components of my dream system are not new, but I’ve combined them into a format that I think could work. The overall idea has some points in common with David Colquhoun’s submission to the dragons, in that it would adopt a web-based platform run by scientists themselves. This is what already happens with the <a href="http://arxiv.org/">arXiv</a> for the physical sciences and <a href="http://biorxiv.org/">bioRxiv</a> for biological sciences. However, my ‘consensual communication’ model has some important differences. Here’s the steps I envisage an author going through:</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/science/head-quarters/2015/may/12/will-traditional-science-journals-disappear">Continue reading...</a>ScienceRoyal SocietyPeer review and scientific publishingTue, 12 May 2015 13:12:05 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/science/head-quarters/2015/may/12/will-traditional-science-journals-disappearPhotograph: Pere Sanz / Alamy/AlamyWhat is the future of scholarly scientific publishing?Photograph: Pere Sanz / Alamy/AlamyWhat is the future of scholarly scientific publishing?Dorothy Bishop2015-05-12T13:12:05ZHalley's Eclipse: a coup for Newtonian prediction | Rebekah Higgitthttp://www.theguardian.com/science/the-h-word/2015/may/03/halleys-eclipse-newtonian-selling-science-history
<p>300 years ago, on the 3rd of May 1715, a rare solar eclipse occurred over England. It was an opportunity too good to miss for those promoting new astronomical theories – and their own careers.</p><p>In 1715, 300 years ago today, a total solar eclipse was visible across a broad band of England. It was the first to be predicted on the basis of the Newtonian theory of universal gravitation, its path mapped clearly and advertised widely in advance. Visible in locations such as London and Cambridge, both astronomical experts and the public were able to see the phenomena and be impressed by the predictive power of the new astronomy.</p><p>Wikipedia <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_eclipse_of_May_3,_1715">will tell you</a> that this is known as Halley’s Eclipse, after <a href="https://halleyslog.wordpress.com/about/">Edmond Halley</a>, who produced accurate predictions of its timing and <a href="http://eclipse-maps.com/Eclipse-Maps/History/History_files/1715_May_3_TSE_Halley.png">an easily-read map</a> of the eclipse’s path. Halley did not live to see the confirmation of his predictions of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halley%27s_Comet">a returning comet</a> – a 1759 triumph for the Newtonian system – but he was able to enjoy his 1715 calculations, which were within 4 minutes, and to improve on them with <a href="https://www.repository.cam.ac.uk/handle/1810/221308">a corrected map</a> (above). He <a href="http://rstl.royalsocietypublishing.org/content/29/338-350/245.full.pdf+html">observed the eclipse</a> from the Royal Society’s building in Crane Court on a morning with a sky of “perfect serene azure blew”.<br /></p><p>The like Eclipse having not for many ages been seen in the Southern Parts of Great Britain, I thought it not improper to give the Publick an Account thereof, that the sudden darkness, wherein the Starrs will be visible about the Sun, may give no surprize to the People, who would, if unadvertized, be apt to look upon it as Ominous, and to interpret it as portending evill to our Sovereign Lord King George and his Government, which God preserve. Hereby they will see that there is nothing in it more than Natural, and no more than the necessary result of the Motions of the Sun and Moon; And how well those are understood will appear by this Eclipse.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/science/the-h-word/2015/may/03/halleys-eclipse-newtonian-selling-science-history">Continue reading...</a>ScienceHistory of scienceAstronomyRoyal SocietySun, 03 May 2015 07:30:01 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/science/the-h-word/2015/may/03/halleys-eclipse-newtonian-selling-science-historyPhotograph: Halley, Edmund; Senex, John (Halley eclipse) Institute of Astronomy Library /University of CambridgePhotograph: Halley, Edmund; Senex, John (Halley eclipse) Institute of Astronomy Library /University of CambridgeRebekah Higgitt2015-05-03T07:30:01ZHow chemistry affects the evolution of life | @GrrlScientisthttp://www.theguardian.com/science/grrlscientist/2015/mar/19/how-chemistry-affects-the-evolution-of-life
<p>In this fascinating video, Professor Ros Rickaby from Oxford chats with Professor Simon Conway-Morris at Cambridge about how Earth’s changing chemistry has affected evolution, and how this can sometimes lead to evolutionary convergence</p><p>A feature of natural selection, or “survival of the fittest”, is that context defines what is “fittest”. Traits that are “fittest” in one habitat can become liabilities in others. This was observed first-hand across Britain when it was newly industrialising: wing colour of the peppered moth, <em>Biston betularia,</em><em> </em>changed from pale grey with darker spots to dark charcoal. This was due to the effects of predation by birds, who suddenly could easily spot pale-winged peppered moths dozing on soot-covered tree trunks by day (doi:<a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rsbl.2011.1136">10.1098/rsbl.2011.1136</a>). Most of the peppered moths that survived long enough to reproduce had charcoal-coloured wings, a trait that they passed on to the next generation. Thus, within the context of sooty trees and hungry birds, a trait that was previously “fittest” became a liability.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/science/grrlscientist/2015/mar/19/how-chemistry-affects-the-evolution-of-life">Continue reading...</a>ScienceChemistryEvolutionBiochemistry and molecular biologyGeologyBiologyRoyal SocietyPlantsScienceThu, 19 Mar 2015 16:18:13 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/science/grrlscientist/2015/mar/19/how-chemistry-affects-the-evolution-of-lifePhotograph: Bill Coster IN/AlamyTwo wing colour traits of peppered moths, <em>Biston betularia</em>; charcoal-coloured (melanistic; L) and pale-coloured (R) forms on a dark background. Essex, England, UK.Photograph: Bill Coster IN/AlamyTwo wing colour traits of peppered moths, <em>Biston betularia</em>; charcoal-coloured (melanistic; L) and pale-coloured (R) forms on a dark background. Essex, England, UK.Photograph: P. Carrara/National Park Service/public domainPhotograph: P. Carrara/National Park Service/public domainGrrlScientist2015-03-19T16:18:13ZScience, climate change and controversy | @GrrlScientisthttp://www.theguardian.com/science/grrlscientist/2015/mar/11/science-climate-and-controversy
<p>It’s inevitable: as science progresses, controversy happens. But sometimes, the public sees controversy where none exists. How to remedy that?</p><p>“Science is often thought of as simply a collection of facts which has been handed down to us by some great authority in the past”, says meteorologist Paul Williams, a Royal Society <a href="https://royalsociety.org/grants/schemes/university-research/">university research fellow</a> at the <a href="http://www.reading.ac.uk/">University of Reading</a>.</p><p>“But of course, the reality is a lot more complicated than that.”</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/science/grrlscientist/2015/mar/11/science-climate-and-controversy">Continue reading...</a>SciencePeer review and scientific publishingRoyal SocietyHistory of scienceControversiesBiologyEvolutionClimate changeClimate changeEnvironmentDarwinWed, 11 Mar 2015 12:39:49 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/science/grrlscientist/2015/mar/11/science-climate-and-controversyPhotograph: Richard Crowest/Wikimedia (CC BY 3.0)The Parallel Roads of Glen Roy, Highland Region, Scotland, highlighted by recent snowfall.Photograph: Richard Crowest/Wikimedia (CC BY 3.0)The Parallel Roads of Glen Roy, Highland Region, Scotland, highlighted by recent snowfall.GrrlScientist2015-03-11T12:39:49ZCitizen science is making scientists of everyone | @GrrlScientisthttp://www.theguardian.com/science/grrlscientist/2015/mar/10/science-stories-citizen-scientists
<p>Citizen science is getting a lot of attention these days, which might make you think it is a new social phenomenon. But in fact, nothing is further from the truth: citizen science has been around much longer than any of us.</p><p>Citizen science is getting a lot of attention these days, which might make you think it is a new social phenomenon. But in fact, nothing could be further from the truth: citizen science has been around much longer than any one of us. It was going strong long before Benjamin Franklin almost electrocuted himself in 1752 (<a href="http://rstl.royalsocietypublishing.org/content/47/202.full.pdf">free PDF</a>) and before “gentleman scientist” Charles Darwin first set foot onto the HMS <em>Beagle</em> in 1831. </p><p>“Science doesn’t have to be complicated”, says Chris Lintott, a professor of astrophysics at the <a href="http://www.ox.ac.uk/">University of Oxford</a>. </p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/science/grrlscientist/2015/mar/10/science-stories-citizen-scientists">Continue reading...</a>ScienceRoyal SocietyPeer review and scientific publishingScienceTechnologyTue, 10 Mar 2015 13:08:49 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/science/grrlscientist/2015/mar/10/science-stories-citizen-scientistsPhotograph: Anne Keiser/Getty Images/National GeographicA bumblebee sipping nectar from a thistle.Photograph: Anne Keiser/Getty Images/National GeographicA bumblebee sipping nectar from a thistle.Photograph: AlamyCitizen science has gone digital.Photograph: AlamyCitizen science has gone digital.GrrlScientist2015-03-10T13:08:49ZScience: Where are the women? | @GrrlScientisthttp://www.theguardian.com/science/grrlscientist/2015/mar/08/science-where-are-the-women
<p>What can be done to increase the numbers of women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics -- the so-called STEM fields? The Royal Society explores this very question in today’s video, which features physicist Dame Athene Donald FRS and cognitive neuroscientist Professor Sarah-Jayne Blakemore.</p><p>International Women’s Day has been observed for more than 100 years. It originally began in 1909 in the United States as National Women’s Day, but Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland began observing this day starting in 1911, when it was moved from the last Sunday in February to 19 March. After the United Nations designated 1975 as “International Women’s Year”, this observance was moved to 8 March and was joined by many nations and governments in their effort to help women achieve equality in both their professional and personal lives. </p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/science/grrlscientist/2015/mar/08/science-where-are-the-women">Continue reading...</a>ScienceRoyal SocietyScienceEducationWomenLife and styleGenderInternational Women's DayWorld newsSun, 08 Mar 2015 11:13:27 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/science/grrlscientist/2015/mar/08/science-where-are-the-womenPhotograph: Horizon International Images Lim/AlamyTwo girls in a school science classroom.Photograph: Horizon International Images Lim/AlamyTwo girls in a school science classroom.GrrlScientist2015-03-08T11:13:27ZScientific publishing celebrates 350 years | @GrrlScientisthttp://www.theguardian.com/science/grrlscientist/2015/mar/06/royal-society-celebrates-350-years-of-scientific-publishing
<p>The first issue of <em>Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society</em> was published 350 years ago today, and established a new model for publishing scientific, medical, academic and scholarly research.</p><p>The first issue of <em>Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society</em> was published 350 years ago today. It established a new model for publishing scientific, medical, academic and scholarly research that is used by tens of thousands of journals today. This model relies on peer-review of the research followed by publication in a regularly published and dated journal.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/science/grrlscientist/2015/mar/06/royal-society-celebrates-350-years-of-scientific-publishing">Continue reading...</a>ScienceHistory of sciencePeer review and scientific publishingRoyal SocietyResearchScienceEducationFri, 06 Mar 2015 14:12:31 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/science/grrlscientist/2015/mar/06/royal-society-celebrates-350-years-of-scientific-publishingPhotograph: The Royal SocietyPhotograph: The Royal SocietyGrrlScientist2015-03-06T14:12:31ZRoyal Society Young People’s Book Prize winner announced | @GrrlScientisthttp://www.theguardian.com/science/grrlscientist/2014/nov/17/eye-benders-wins-royal-society-young-peoples-book-prize
<p>Eye Benders, a children’s book by Clive Gifford &amp; Professor Anil Seth, is filled with optical illusions. The authors explain the science behind how these illusions work and demonstrate the many different ways that they trick your brain. </p><p>The children’s science book, <em>Eye Benders: The Science of Seeing &amp; Believing </em>[Ivy Kids, 2013; Amazon UK <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/1782400842/livithescieli-21/">hardcover</a>/<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/1438003668/livithescieli-21/">paperback</a>; Amazon US <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1782400842/livingthescie-20/">hardcover</a>/<a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1438003668/livingthescie-20/">paperback</a>], was just announced as the 2014 winner of the <a href="https://royalsociety.org/awards/young-people/">Royal Society Young People’s Book Prize</a> for science books. This prize, which is possibly the most democratic of all book awards, is chosen by popular vote. This year, more than 1000 young people from 120 schools and youth groups all across the UK cast votes for their favourite book from a <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/science/grrlscientist/2014/may/07/royal-society-young-people-book-prize-shortlist-2014">shortlist of six titles</a>.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/science/grrlscientist/2014/nov/17/eye-benders-wins-royal-society-young-peoples-book-prize">Continue reading...</a>ScienceBooksScienceChildren's books: 8-12 yearsChildren's books: 7 and underScience and natureChildren and teenagersCultureRoyal SocietyAwards and prizesMon, 17 Nov 2014 15:52:33 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/science/grrlscientist/2014/nov/17/eye-benders-wins-royal-society-young-peoples-book-prizePhotograph: Akiyoshi Kitaoka/Clive Gifford/Ivy PressLeaf wave by Ritsumeikan University psychology professor, Akiyoshi Kitaoka. This illusion demonstrates how static leaves can appear to be blowing in a wind.Photograph: Akiyoshi Kitaoka/Clive Gifford/Ivy PressLeaf wave by Ritsumeikan University psychology professor, Akiyoshi Kitaoka. This illusion demonstrates how static leaves can appear to be blowing in a wind.Photograph: Clive Gifford/Ivy PressPhotograph: Clive Gifford/Ivy PressGrrlScientist2014-11-17T15:52:33ZStuff Matters wins Royal Society's 2014 Winton Prize for Science Books | @GrrlScientisthttp://www.theguardian.com/science/grrlscientist/2014/nov/11/stuff-matters-wins-royal-societys-2014-winton-prize-for-science-books
<p>Mark Miodownik’s <em>Stuff Matters </em>has won the 2014 Royal Society Winton Prize for Science Books. <em>Stuff Matters</em>, published by Viking, takes the reader on a lively and engaging exploration of some of the myriad materials that shape the modern world.</p><p>Fans of popular science books will be excited to learn that <a href="http://www.markmiodownik.net/Mark_Miodownik/Index-Page.html">Professor Mark Miodownik</a>’s <em>Stuff Matters </em>won the <a href="https://royalsociety.org/awards/science-books/">2014 Royal Society Winton Prize for Science Books</a>.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/science/grrlscientist/2014/nov/11/stuff-matters-wins-royal-societys-2014-winton-prize-for-science-books">Continue reading...</a>ScienceScienceScience and natureRoyal SocietyBooksCultureAwards and prizesTue, 11 Nov 2014 14:46:26 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/science/grrlscientist/2014/nov/11/stuff-matters-wins-royal-societys-2014-winton-prize-for-science-booksPhotograph: Debbie Rowe/The Royal Society.Authors shortlisted for Royal Society’s 2014 Winton Prize for popular science books.Photograph: Debbie Rowe/The Royal Society.Authors shortlisted for Royal Society’s 2014 Winton Prize for popular science books.Photograph: Debbie Rowe/The Royal Society.Professor Mark Miodownik chats about and reads from his book, Stuff Matters, which won the 2014 Royal Society Winton Prize.Photograph: Debbie Rowe/The Royal Society.Professor Mark Miodownik chats about and reads from his book, Stuff Matters, which won the 2014 Royal Society Winton Prize.Photograph: Debbie Rowe/The Royal Society.Professor Mark Miodownik shows off his newly-won 2014 Royal Society Winton Prize trophy, for his book, Stuff Matters.Photograph: Debbie Rowe/The Royal Society.Professor Mark Miodownik shows off his newly-won 2014 Royal Society Winton Prize trophy, for his book, Stuff Matters.Photograph: Debbie Rowe/The Royal Society.Professor Mark Miodownik with his book, Stuff Matters, which won the 2014 Royal Society Winton Prize for popular science books.Photograph: Debbie Rowe/The Royal Society.Professor Mark Miodownik with his book, Stuff Matters, which won the 2014 Royal Society Winton Prize for popular science books.GrrlScientist2014-11-11T14:46:26ZRoyal Society books shortlist: Seven Elements That Have Changed the World by John Browne – reviewhttp://www.theguardian.com/science/2014/nov/10/royal-society-books-shorlist-seven-elements-by-john-browne-review
<p>Carnegie and Rockefeller feature in this engaging history of how the use of natural resources has underpinned greed and dramatic industrial development</p><p>It’s hard to throw a rock without hitting an object that has changed the world in someone’s eyes. Hunt through book shops and there you will find titles on all manner of purportedly world-changing items: maps, bags, equations, dresses, eruptions, diagrams, shoes, tea cosies, the banana and cod.</p><p>They might all be justified. Just as any experience changes the brain, so any product or resource can be said to have changed the world, given a broad enough definition of what it means to change. Perhaps somewhere in London or New York a publisher is mulling a book proposal on the global impact of party balloons, paperclips or marshmallows.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/science/2014/nov/10/royal-society-books-shorlist-seven-elements-by-john-browne-review">Continue reading...</a>Royal SocietyScienceRoyal Society Winton Prize for Science BooksMiningEconomicsMaterials sciencePhysicsChemistryScience and naturePeriodic TableUK newsWorld newsMon, 10 Nov 2014 06:00:02 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/science/2014/nov/10/royal-society-books-shorlist-seven-elements-by-john-browne-reviewPhotograph: Joe Klamar/AFP/Getty ImagesA spool of gold wire at gold bullion factory Oegussa in Vienna, Austria. The element gold has never lost its shine or pull in centuries.Photograph: Joe Klamar/AFP/Getty ImagesA spool of gold wire at gold bullion factory Oegussa in Vienna, Austria. The element gold has never lost its shine or pull in centuries.Ian Sample2014-11-10T06:00:02ZRoyal Society Winton Prize for Science Books - podcasthttp://www.theguardian.com/science/audio/2014/nov/07/cern-royal-society-science-book-prize
Which is the best popular science book of the year? Robin McKie and Nicky Clayton discuss the six shortlisted. Plus, Rosetta's moment in space and Cern gets its new leader <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/science/audio/2014/nov/07/cern-royal-society-science-book-prize">Continue reading...</a>ScienceCernRoyal Society Winton Prize for Science BooksRosetta space probeSpaceRoyal SocietyScience and natureBooksFri, 07 Nov 2014 16:26:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/science/audio/2014/nov/07/cern-royal-society-science-book-prizeRoyal SocietyShortlisted books for Royal Society Winton Prize for Science Books. Photograph: Royal SocietyPresented by Ian Sample and produced by Iain Chambers2014-11-07T16:26:00Z